The Friends of the Phoenix Public Library and the Phoenix Public Library Foundation’s Dinner in the Stacks 2008 raised more than $342,000 for library programs that support children's literacy. This year’s event was among the highest for both attendance and fund-raising in its 20-year history.

Co-chaired by Susan and Paul Charlton and Chrissy and Mark Donnelly, nearly 600 guests attended the event on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Burton Barr Central Library. Guests included Mayor Phil Gordon, Councilwoman Maria Baier, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard and the Honorable Andrew Hurwitz. Guests enjoyed a silent auction of collectible books and art by local artists as well as dinner and dancing to the music of The Swingtips.

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community was recognized for its continuing commitment to children’s literacy. Through grants totaling more than $100,000 over the past six years, the Community has supported the library’s winter reading program “Catch BookBreath @ your library.”

Phoenix Public Library is a system of 14 branch libraries and the Burton Barr Central Library. For more information, call 602-262-4636 or visit phoenixpubliclibrary.org.